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2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California

38 Ranked Colleges
2,532 Degrees Awarded
$23,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master's in California

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 155,377 visual and performing arts students received their degree, making the major the 10th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,427 and had an average of $28,377 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 25,365 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,067 and $32,687 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,532 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer a degree in visual and performing arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great visual and performing arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the visual and performing arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts in California

#1

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 137 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Los Angeles

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 46 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of California - Irvine

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 40 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Full University of California - San Diego Visual & Performing Arts Report

#25 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 68 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSULB Visual & Performing Arts Report

#5

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#17 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Azusa Pacific University landed the #5 spot on the list. Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 60 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree visual & performing arts students list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Azusa Pacific University

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 76 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Northridge Visual & Performing Arts Report

#11 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 22 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Davis Visual & Performing Arts Report

#8

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
#21 in overall quality

Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

MSMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSMU are $12,612, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at MSMU

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 54 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #24 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State Fullerton Visual & Performing Arts Report

#10

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UCSB

#11

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#23 in overall quality

San Jose State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 18 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Jose State University Visual & Performing Arts Report

#12

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
#9 in overall quality

Loyola Marymount University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree visual & performing arts students list, Loyola Marymount has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Loyola Marymount University

#13

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#22 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 39 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at SDSU

#14

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #14. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 38 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at San Francisco State University

#15

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 15 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #8 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UC Berkeley

California State University - Sacramento ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s visual and performing arts students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Sacramento

California State University - Fresno ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Full California State University - Fresno Visual & Performing Arts Report

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at California State University - Los Angeles

#19

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at UCR

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #20. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Visual & Performing Arts Report

#21

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of Redlands is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redlands, California. It awarded 15 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Redlands also took the #19 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Redlands are $22,852, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at University of Redlands

#22

National University

La Jolla, California

National University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s visual and performing arts degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at National University

#23

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

Academy of Art University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 342 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Academy of Art University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Academy of Art University

#12 in overall quality

Saint Mary’s College of California came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. SMC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moraga, California. It awarded 9 masters’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2019-2020.

SMC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SMC are $33,509, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Visual & Performing Arts at Saint Mary’s College of California

#25

Chapman University

Orange, California
#13 in overall quality

Chapman University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Chapman is a private not-for-profit institution located in Orange, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 77 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chapman, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Visual & Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Chapman Visual & Performing Arts Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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